ELECTIONS 2024: Two seats up for election on Board of Island County Commissioners

Isabella Loy profiles four candidates for Island County Commissioner for the Stanwood Camano News.

Candidates for the District 1 and District 2 seats on the Board of Island County Commissioners will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot for Camano and Whidbey islanders.

District 1 encompasses all of Whidbey Island south of the greater Oak Harbor area, while District 2 covers all of the greater Oak Harbor area.

Every Island County resident can vote for commissioners in the general election, regardless of which district they represent.

Commissioners serve four-year terms.

They Said It

[Melanie] Bacon said she is running for reelection because she would like to see through multiple initiatives she’s in the middle of working on.

“The biggest one is the 2025 Comprehensive Plan update,” she said in an email to SC News. “This update, which the Board of Island County Commissioners has been working hard on, is scheduled for completion in December 2025. And for the next couple of years after that, we will need to pass the codes that reflect the visions we specify in the comp plan.”

She said the biggest challenge currently facing the county has to do with growth, and the comprehensive plan can help manage that.

“We are expecting growth of about 15,000 people over the next 20 years,” she said. “Our challenge will be to protect our rural character — our wild places, forests, open spaces, wetlands, shorelines — everything that people love about living on Whidbey and Camano Island — while still allowing proper zoning and opportunity for affordable, quality housing for these new residents.”

Bacon’s experience in the field is what sets her apart from her opponent, she said.

“I am a responsive, hard-working, effective county commissioner. I know how to get things done,” she said. “I worked as the county HR director for 10 years before running for this position, so I came into the job with a strong county background. My opponent has never worked in government.”

[Marie] Shimada, who works as manager of Ebey’s Reserve on Whidbey Island [Ed. Note: Shimada resigned in June 2024], said in the voter’s pamphlet that she is running because she believes the county can be even better.

“My family is deeply rooted in our community and dedicated to service,” her statement reads. “Both of my grandfathers served in WWII, my mom works in healthcare and my dad serves as a firefighter. I grew up here and have settled here to start a family while dedicating my career to making our community better.”

As a commissioner, Shimada said she would address the rising cost of living, ensure access to quality healthcare, including reproductive care for women, and support public servants in the county and law enforcement.

“I want all our children and grandchildren to be able to call Island County home and not be forced to move out for employment or cheaper housing,” she said in her statement. “I will work with community partners and experts to better address climate resilience and protect our rural character.”

[Jill] Johnson is the longest-serving Island County commissioner and though she has run for election multiple times, she said it is not an automatic decision.

“I always reflect on whether I still believe I am the right person for the job,” she said in an email to SC News. “This time, the answer came quickly. Because of economic changes facing our county, my budget experience will be crucial over the next couple of years to help streamline our expenditures without impacting our level of service.”

When it comes to challenges facing the county, Johnson said there is not one that outweighs all others, but several that need to be tackled together.

“Affordable housing is an issue, and so is saltwater intrusion in local wells,” she said. “Investments in public safety are critical, and so is the ability to afford it without overburdening taxpayers.”

Johnson said the biggest issue facing any county commissioner is managing multiple priorities within a limited budget, leveraging those funds to keep the county operating and delivering a quality level of service that meets the needs and expectations of residents.

Her understanding of the job and long-time connection to Island County gives her an advantage over her opponent, Johnson said.

“During my time in office, we have seen a lot of results, including building the new Camano Administration Building, preserving Barnum Point and Kristoferson Farm, increasing the number of funded Sheriff deputies from 23 to 42, adding a full-time Animal Control Officer to Camano Island, and maintaining an employee retention rate of 80% or higher, even during the pandemic,” she said.

[Christina] Elliott said she decided to run for the first time because she felt a change in leadership was needed in District 2.

“We need more in-touch, accessible leadership,” she said in an email to SC News. “I was not happy with my interactions with the current commissioner, and I ran to be the change I wished to see.”

When moving to Oak Harbor, Elliott said her family faced challenges and had to fight to become homeowners. She said affordable, accessible housing would be a priority if elected.

“I want to see more housing options in our designated urban growth areas, which do not appear to be near capacity,” she said. “Putting housing in these areas, especially Oak Harbor, will create the least environmental impact while concentrating the greatest number of people near our pre-existing resources.”

She said the high cost of living is the largest issue currently facing the county.

“We must work cooperatively as the Board of County Commissioners with our planning commission, local developers and the community to create workforce housing solutions that include access to rentals,” she said.

Elliott said her commitment as a commissioner would include advocating for Camano Island.

“I will be physically present and conduct proactive outreach to our Camano constituents to make sure their voices are heard,” she said. “I am very interested in seeking practical solutions to connect the islands, especially transit options for court, like jury duty, and to see more Island County resources mobilized to be available on Camano.”

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